Story by Jennifer Merrick Vacay.ca Writer JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA — Here’s to beach vacations, and the surf, sand, flip-flops, water sports and lounge chairs they entail. But, then again, urban getaways are appealing, too, with their cultural attractions and the city buzz of nightlife, markets and trendy neighbourhoods with chef-driven restaurants. So why choose? Jacksonville (aka Jax),…

Story by Jennifer Merrick Vacay.ca Writer GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA — A three-hour tour. It was the start of an unexpected adventure for the gang at Gilligan’s Island, and for us, too, on the Pub and Mural Tour in Gainesville, a university town in Northern Florida. This bike excursion was far from typical since we were not…

Warm Mineral Springs has key to restoring youth Story by Chris Ryall WARM MINERAL SPRINGS, NORTH PORT, FLORIDA – Florida evokes many happy memories: building an impenetrable fort as a kid with my pail and shovel and heaps of white moist powdery sand from Siesta Key beach. Going for seconds of key lime pie. On the…

Shhh…don`t tell the kids but a Wild Wizard Adventure is fun and educational Story by Jennifer Merrick, Vacay.ca writer How does a vacationing Canadian family find themselves in a classroom with 29 home-schooled Florida kids and a ‘Wild Wizard’? It was the guilt. We had misgivings about pulling our kids out of school for a…

Foodies know Jacksonville is the place for emerging great dishes Story by Jennifer Merrick, Vacay.ca writer Jacksonville, or Jax, as this northeastern city in Florida is often called, is off the foodie radar map, but it won’t be for long. Word is getting out. Deemed a top surprising foodie city by Forbes Magazine and one…

From north to south and east to west, the Sunshine State delivers on fun and local culture. Story by Jim Byers, Vacay.ca Writer In every corner of Florida, there’s fun, adventure and unique finds to discover. Here’s a look at five diverse places to put on your itinerary next time you’re in the Sunshine State. NORTHEAST:…

Vacay.ca’s Alison Kent provides expert advice for exploring the Magic Kingdom as a couple. Story by Alison Kent, Vacay.ca Writer ORLANDO, FLORIDA — Think a vacation to Walt Disney World is designed exclusively for families with kids? Well, think again, as there are more grown-up friendly and adult-only options to entice, enchant, and adore than you can…

Orlando is a Florida favourite designed to be enjoyed in the sunshine which is why I was beyond disappointed when it started to rain. And rain. Then for good measure rain even more. At one point it seemed like the rain was coming in sideways. It was time for a new game plan. Was Orlando…

Step into the shoes of famous astronauts and have a blast at Kennedy Space Center. Story by Rod Charles, Vacay.ca Editor TITUSVILLE, FLORIDA — As we queued to enter the Atlantis display, one of the most poignant sentences on the wall was a quote from an engineer who helped build the shuttle. ‘Like Bolting A…

Head for Miami Beach and enjoy a getaway fit for a movie star. Story by Rod Charles, Vacay.ca editor MIAMI, FLORIDA— We arrive at trendy Cadet Hotel after a four-hour drive from Orlando and check into the Clark Gable Suite, named after the Gone With The Wind leading actor who made famous the line “Frankly, my dear,…